Education Otherwise

Education Otherwise is the UK's oldest and biggest support group for home educating families. Founded in 1977 it has championed the cause of home education for twenty-five years and has ensured that parents have not lost the right to home educate over the course of successive education reforms.

What does it offer?
The main strength of Education Otherwise is its network of regional support groups. These give home-educating families a chance to meet people in the same situation as themselves and can also provide invaluable support in those cases when the transition from school to home-based education is not smooth. Educational authorities are generally reassured when they know that a family who has withdrawn their child from school is in contact with Education Otherwise.

Members receive a copy of the book 'School is Not Compulsory' when they join Education Otherwise which outlines their legal rights to home-educate.

Education Otherwise also has a bi-monthly newsletter and has negotiated discounts for members at museums and other institutions that have a relevance to education.

How Does it Work?
Education Otherwise is run in a democratic way by its members. It has few financial resources and no paid staff. This has advantages and disadvantages.
It can be difficult to get a response to mundane administrative enquiries but experience has shown that when there is a genuine crisis Education Otherwise members rise to the challenge and give the help that is needed - so if you have a problem,  keep asking for help!

My Personal Experience of Education Otherwise
I have been a member of Education Otherwise for many years but have never become involved in its administration  or in social activities: for me its strongest point has been the sense of security provided by knowing that I could call on the support of thousands of other home-educators if I ever encountered difficulties with the authorities. 

Contacting Education Otherwise
www.education-otherwise.org

Other Support Groups

Do you have experience of other groups?
Would you like to give us more information?
We would like this page to be of use to parents who are considering home education and who are trying to make contact with other home educating families with the same objectives as themselves.

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